Line6 Helix Rack Guitar Processor

Va mucho más allá de un procesador multiefectos en rack, es un interfaz de audio con funciones MIDI que permite el procesamiento simultaneo de hasta 4 inputs (guitarras, bajo, voz...).

Aspecto solido, aunque no he encontrado en el mercado protectores de pantalla adaptables (practicamente todo el frontal es cristal, aunque de resistencia desconocidad, incluso tras contactar con el SAT de Line6).

Las posibilidades de conectividad son inimaginables, la interfaz es intuitiva, visual, moderna, la interacción con el ordenador es sencilla y sin retardos.

Sobre los efectos: ha sustituido todo mi arsenal de pedales analógicos previos, la capacidad de procesamiento de señal es impresionante (no he llegado a su máximo con cadenas de hasta 20 efectos), decenas de simulaciones de amplificadores, cabinas, micros, con todos los controles de los modelos originales. La posibilidad de guardad hasta 8 versiones de cada prest (screenshots) intercambiables con un simple click junto a la posibilidad de reamplificar la señal (ya sea bajo, guitarra o voz) son simplemente una genialidad.

Para uso en un home-studio no es necesario nada más (aunque puede ser interesante el pedal de expresión oficial) , pero creo que para directo sería necesario adquirir la unidad Helix Control, o la versión completa en pedalera (Helix Floor y/o Helix LT).

Un 10.

I owned the Axe FX II, which I sold due to the complex front panel user interface ( I don't want to go via a PC editor ) and bought the Kemper Rack, just before the Helix was available.. The Kemper wasn't quite what I was looking for, notably because of a lack of parallel routing, and certain other options.
I was hesitant to buy the Helix, as I'd previously owned the Line 6 Pod Pro HD X, and was not pleased with it, due to the quality of the amp/cab sims, although I thought the effects themselves were excellent.. You can read my review of the POD Pro X, Kemper, and Boss GT-001, on the Thomann site..
After having looked at some reviews, the manual, & listening to some sounds on Internet, I decided to sell the Kemper & go for the Helix.. After all, you can return a product to Thomann, if not happy..
Well, there was nothing to worry about, it's very very good.. It's solidly made, the user interface, and beautiful colour screen, are easy to understand, there's parallel routing, Mic input with phantom power, the possibility to install IR's, plenty of connection possibilities, including the Helix control pedalboard, and it sounds fantastic..
This is just what I've been looking for, and I would have gone for it straight away, in preference to the Axe FX II & Kemper, if it had been available at the time.
I have no intention of changing this, I can't really find anything to criticise.. It does eveything that I want, and it does it well..
I should mention, that this & the others I have mentioned, have been evaluated from studio use, not from live work..
In summary, a really great product. I can definitely recommend it, if you're looking for a high quality, versatile
preamp / effects unit for studio use.

I've used many different amp and effect setups over a playing career of several decades, Although I've used other modelling gear extensively such as a Vetta II and a few Pods, etc. but never been 100% happy with them.

First and foremost, the Helix sounds great! The wide range of amps, cabs and effect models not only sound good in their own right, but are generally very accurate to their inspirations. Also, playing response is much improved over things like the Pod series. and when monitored appropriately response and "feel" are nigh on perfect. Updates and continued development are good too - When I first started considering getting the Helix there were a few things missing from my personal shopping list of models and effects, but by the time I decided to go for it, updates had filled almost all the gaps on my wishlist.

The Helix Rack is very easy and intuitive to use, especially when one considers the huge capabilities it has. For studio use there is a wide range of output and routing options available, all very quick to set up. Graphics and performance controls are well thought through and clearly laid out. I use the Helix Rack along with the "control" floor unit and the integration is seamless, as one would expect. However, it's still ridiculously easy to use the rack unit just from the front panel should one wish to. Preset management and other housekeeping tasks are also very straightforward.

In a studio environment, extras like the (free) Helix Editor and (discounted) Helix Native plugin make this a very powerful system indeed. The simple Preset and Setlist management, along with the output and routing flexibility mean that it's easy to take these sounds out into a wide range of performance environments. Also, it's extremely well built, certainly robust enough to put up with life on the road.

Pros - Sounds, ease of use, features, comprehensive routing. Very well built, regular updates and new features.

Cons - Everyone else wants to use it!